Skip to Main Content

Research Guides

Citation Management Software: Home

A guide to the commonly used citation - or reference - management software available to the U-Idaho community.

Software Comparison

If you have any questions about using these systems, please contact the U-Idaho Library Reference Desk.

Features

EndNote

Zotero

Mendeley

Developer

Clarivate Analytics Center for History and New Media/George Mason University Elsevier, Inc.

Website

EndNote: www.endnote.com and/or
EndNote Online: www.myendnoteweb.com
www.zotero.org www.mendeley.com
Cost

Desktop version - Approx. $115 to $250

Online version - free to U-Idaho

Free as Firefox-based plugin or Zotero Standalone desktop application with plugins for Chrome and Safari

Free for use/basic storage (more storage available for fees, a.k.a. freemium)
Word Processor Integration Microsoft Word Microsoft Word, LibreOffice, Google Docs

Mendeley Reference Manager: Microsoft Word

Mendeley Desktop: Microsoft Word, LibreOffice

Attach files (PDF) to references

Yes

Yes

Yes

Extract metadata from a PDF

Older versions: Yes - if connected to Internet

Yes - if connected to internet

Yes

Citing from Web Yes - install bookmark Yes - install bookmark Yes - install bookmark
Sharing w/ Colleagues Yes Yes Yes
Direct Export from databases Yes; e.g. Web of Science "endnote" link Yes; e.g. Web of Science "other" link Yes
Transfer libraries Yes - use .ris, .bib or Endnote XML Yes - use .ris or .bib Yes - use .ris or .bib or Endnote XML
Learning Curve Moderate Easiest Easy